Improvement in cartridges for exterminating burrowing animals



LYSANDER OQLLINS, QF ALMA, OALIFQBNLA...

IMPROVEMENT lN CARTRIDGESVFOR EXTERMlNATlNGBURROWlNG ANIMALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l155,424, datedSeptember 29, 1874; application filed' August 22, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LYsANDnR CoLL1Ns,of Alma, Santa Clara county, California, have invented a new and Improved Cartridge forv Exterrninating Squirrels, &c., of whichr the following is n specification:

In 'the drawing, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved cartridge for the extermination of squirrels, gophers, dto.; and Figs. 2 and 3 show the application of the oartridge to the squirrel-holes. l

Y Similar letters of reference indicate correspond'ing parts.

My invention relates to a cartridge for exterminating squirrels, gophers, and similar 1cernnin, to be used specially in parts of the country in which they are found in large nunihers, so as to do considerable damage to the crops. My invention consists of a cartridge of Suitable size filled with a slowly-burning mixture of blasting-powder and sulphur, andv provided with a suitable fuse extending from the point ot' the cartridge along` the body of the seine for being' ignited from the front end, and throwing thesulphnr-fumes in forward direction.

In the drawing, A represents a. cartridge of suitable size and materiel, which is iilled with a mixture of blastingqiowder and sulphur prepared by nioistening the powder and mixing it to the consistency ot' thick paste, adding then one pound of sulphur to five pounds of powder. This eeuws a slow burning of the mass without explosion, and also the throwing forward of the sulphur-fumes by the less violent combustion ot the powder. A-i'use, B, is introduced at the front end or point of the cartridge, and a small quantity of ritielire.'

powder is placed around the end vof the saine for producing the ignition of the pasty mixture. In front otl the ride-powder a small quantity of sulphur may be placed, so that immediately on the ignition of the powder the sulphur is ignited and thrown forward by the explosion. The certridgeAis then securely Wrapped-up and a sufficient length of the fuse B nllou'ed to remain, so that it may pass along the cartridge beyond its end or rear part. The cartridge is placed ti glitly in the squirrel, gopher, or other hole, and the fusethezseton, The' cartridge is"ignited by the'iise at the front end, and forces, by the action'of the slowly exploding; or burning powder, the'sulphurous fumes in forward direc n into the hole, destroying every anima-l im the same. These cartridges, therefore, give to the fermer a very convenient and readily-applied device for exterinimating,1 animals which burrow in the ground, Whenever their number: has in creased to such an extent that considerable damage is done by them to the crops.

Having thus described my invention, I cla-im.y as new end desire to secure by Letters Pat ent* .Y

A cartridge for exterminating squirrels,- gophers, and similar animals, iilled with? ai slow-burningmixture of blastingpowder and sulphur, and ignited by a fuse applied to the front end and extended back' along` the enrtridge, substantially es and for the purpose set forth.

LYSANDER ULL'XNS;

Witnesses l E. H. EVANS,

R. H. DUNGAN. 

